WHILE cancer patients in the Kingdom receive the best medical care available regardless of their financial situation, experts say more needs to be done to promote mental health programs that address cancer survivors' psychological issues. Such programs, they say, should be part of the treatment patients receive and help them deal with the stress, depression and anxiety that many experience following cancer treatment, Al-Riyadh daily reports. Dr. Mahdi Al-Tahir, a psychologist and a former faculty member at Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University in Riyadh, said the majority of cancer patients, both young and old, develop anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, and loss of memory and lose interest in life. "These are dangerous signs. That is why the patient needs psychological help in the first weeks following the diagnosis," Al-Tahir said. A study conducted inside three cancer centers showed that 47 percent of cancer patients developed psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression and needed help and support from family members, he noted. Palliative treatment for cancer patients is important as well and can help patients, especially the younger ones, feel calm and determined. Psychological support provided by specialists and family members have shown to boost patients' morale and, according to many studies, make them want to fight for their lives. Several studies have concluded that patients who were visited by family members and friends felt happier and their chances to live increased compared with other cancer patients who did not have immediate family members or relatives to visit them. "Most doctors prefer that a cancer patient gets psychological help from close family members. Some patients prefer to keep their medical conditions private and only tell a few family members or friends. For younger patients, however, the more family around to support them, the better their chances of survival," he explained. Shortage of psychologists Dr. Meshabab Al-Asiri, head of oncology department, King Fahd Medical City, said children are less likely to be diagnosed with cancer and even when detected, their chances of survival are high. However, children need psychological help and support as they need to be rehabilitated and made to be felt loved and encouraged. "Treatment usually takes a year, whether it is chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgical intervention. The common form of cancer among this age group is blood, lymphoma and testicular. Psychological support is important. Some big hospitals in the Kingdom have specialists but there is still a shortage of them around the country," he said. "Unfortunately, the importance of psychological support is still being studied and has not been well supported among the medical circles in the country," he added.
